United States denies funding Congo's $100 million mine security force

11 articles · Updated · Reuters · Apr 28

The US Embassy in Kinshasa clarified it is not providing funds for Congo’s planned paramilitary mine guard, which is budgeted at $100 million and expected to exceed 20,000 personnel by 2028.
Congo’s mining regulator stated the force will be financed through partnerships, not direct country funding, and discussions continue on structuring the mechanism to align with national priorities.
The initiative aims to boost security and attract investment in Congo’s mineral-rich regions, amid ongoing conflict and recent minerals partnerships with the US, UAE, and China.

As the US denies funding, who will really pay for Congo's new 20,000-strong mine guard?

With Chinese firms controlling 80% of mines, can US security deals truly shift the balance of power?

Is the US publicly denying funding for the mine force while secretly providing other forms of support?

How will Congo's new elite force protect the 2 million artisanal miners from exploitation?

In the US-China race for Congo's minerals, are human rights being traded for resources?